Device for affixing postage-stamps



(No Model.)

9.3. CONRAD. DEVIGBFOR- AFPIXING POSTAGE STAMPS. No. 513,887.

Patented Jan. 30, 1894.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE EDGAR CONRAD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DEVICE FOR AFFIXING POSTAGE-STAMPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 513,887, dated January30, 1894. Application filed February 16, 1893 Scrial No. 462,545- (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE EDGAR CONRAD, of Chicago, county of Cook, andState of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Device forAffixing Postage-Stamps, of which the following is a specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine comprehending amagazine of stamps, and adapted to feed down successively, so that theymay be applied to an envelope, for example, by simple pressure upon amoistened surface. The machine also preferably includes a moisteningsponge.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of mymachine, showing the sponge cap in place. Fig. 2 is an end elevation ofthe same. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the machine, showing alongitudinal section of the magazine. Fig. 4 is a cross section showingthe slots.

Referring to the figures on the drawings, 1 indicates a frame, which maybe made of metal, wood, or any other suitable material. It may beconveniently formed in the shape of a cross, as illustrated, having uponopposite ends a stamp magazine, and an intermediate sponge cup 2, andopposite the sponge cup a handle 3. The cup is made of any suitabledesign adapted to contain a moistened sponge 4, and preferably providedwith a cap 5. The magazines shown are entirely independent, and one is acounterpart of the other. The two are employed in order to increase thecapacity of the machine, and to lend symmetry thereto.

The magazine preferably consists, in combination with the core 6, whichforms a part or wing of the frame, of a case 7, loosely fitted to thecore, and susceptible of a certain limited longitudinal motion thereon.For the purpose of limiting the movement, slots 8, in the ends of thecore, may be provided, within which pins 9, projecting from the case,are located.- The opposite ends of the case are provided withoverhanging flanges 10, which are preferably as narrow as they may bemade to hold with sufficient security the stamps carried in the case.Thedimensions of the case and core are such that a stamp, for which themachine is adapted to be used, will fit snugly within it, and have itsopposite ends project under the flanges 10, so that that is notessential.

they cannot accidentally escape. The dimensions shown are adapted foruse in the new Columbian stamp series of the United States. i

In practice the stamps are placed with the gummed sides outward in apack upon top of the core, and are held in place by the flanges 10. Inthis condition the case will be drawn out beyond the end of the core, sothat the space between the vflanges upon the end of the core willaccommodate the number of stamps employed.

In practice the sponge is used to moisten the surface to which the stampis to be applied, and the magazine filled with gummed stamps is pressedagainst the moist surface. The adhesion of the gummed surface to themoist surface will be sufficient to retain the stamp when the magazineis taken away, so that one stamp is set in place, and another presentsitself ready to be applied in the same manner.

For convenience of filling, the case may be made removable from the coreor frame, but For better retaining the stamps in the magazine I preferto make the pins 9 spring-actuated, as shown, so that they tendconstantly to draw the case over the core, so that there is a constanttension of the flanges 10 upon the edges of the stamp, and as eachsuccessive stamp is taken off the case takes firm hold upon the nextone.The springs should not be of such. power as might prevent the readyseparation of the stamp from the magazine.

I do not confine myself to the details of construction herein shown anddescribed, but reserve the right to modify and vary them at will Withinthe scope of my invention.

What I claim is- The combination with an angular frame, of a handlespring actuated flanged casings oppositely actuated laterally withrespect to the handle and a metallic sponge receptacle secured upon theframe opposite to the handle, and a metallic cap for said sponge cup,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony of all of which I have hereunto subscribed my name.

GEORGE EDGAR CONRAD.

Witnesses:

F. S. HESTER, J. R. GOOD.

